Effect of Dietary Lysine on the Meat Production and Behaviour of Broilers

Abstract

Hubbard broilers were studied to investigate the influence of lysine on meats production and behavior performance. Total 300 day old chicks were divided into six groups (50 broilers each) i.e. A, B, C, D, E and F, fed ration containing 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25 percent of synthetic lysine, respectively. Feed intake in broiler group A was higher (3572 g/b) (P<0.05). Live body weight was higher in group F (2.234 kg/b). Broiler carcass weight and dressing of group F (1.298 kg/bird and 60.83 kg/bird) was higher as compared to other groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (1.538) in group D following by group A, B, C, E and F. Broiler breast, leg, neck, drum and head weights was higher in group D than other groups (p<0.05). Broiler heart was heavier in group D, while liver and gizzard were heavier in group B than other groups, whereas, spleen and crop were heavier in group A, and gall bladder was heavier in group C. Mortality ratio increased in group A (p>0.05). Group E broiler spent more time on feeding (8.31 min/h). Group F spent more time on drinking (4.76 min/h). Group A spent more time on standing/walking (13.38 min/h). Group A spent more time on lying/sleeping (37.37 min/h) than other groups. Hematological observations indicated that the average value for RBCs were enhanced (2.89 million/mm3) in group D, WBC (24.78 1000/mm3) in group C, PCV in group A (31.63 %) and serum cholesterol in group F (83.07 mg/100ml). Above findings suggest that 0.75% lysine in broiler ration is better for growth, as well as to achieve maximum net return of the farmers.